PERNEM: Strict COVID-19 checking is being done at the Patradevi check post to ensure that only those having negative certificates of last 72 hours or an antigen test at the lab set up at the border after testing negative are allowed to enter the State.
On June 2, the government made any ICMR approved COVID-test okay to enter Goa, which includes the Rapid Antigen Test which is now being done on the spot at the border. The Rapid Antigen Test is only indicative and not foolproof. Only the RTPCR test is a confirmatory test.
If someone is tested positive then the infected person is immediately shifted to COVID centre.
The State government has given the antigen test to a private lab which charges Rs 270 per head for undergoing the test at the Patradevi check post wherein their reports are available within 20 to 30 minutes.
More than 200 vehicle and over 300 to 400 people enter the State every day from the Patradevi check post including tourists and daily commuters who travel up and down for work and other purposes.
Almost 80 per cent people produce their own negative certificate. Police note down details of the traveller and vehicle.
While the Goa government has given the contract to a private lab, the Maharashtra check post is having a government owned testing lab which is free of cost.
